Cancer Information has one number: 0800 – 420 30 40

Marion Caspers-Merk, Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health, states: “Those who suffer from cancer or have a loved one who has cancer have not only many worries and fears, but also many questions. Therefore, it is good that the German Cancer Research Center and the German Cancer Aid unite their counseling and information competences and jointly make them available at a toll-free telephone number. Thus, we are making sure that patients and their families are provided with information about cancer at the highest quality level and according to a common standard.”

Thomas Rachel, Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, states: “The Cancer Information Service helps those affected to take part in medical decisions and can improve doctor-patient communication. In addition, we are establishing the first specialist information service for physicians in Germany at the Cancer Information Service. It will provide information about the latest developments in research and will ensure that these findings will reach patients more rapidly. The Ministry of Research will provide annual funds of 3.3 million euros to support the expansion of the Cancer Information Service over the next few years.”

“At DKFZ, we perform research at the highest international level with the aim of gaining a better understanding of cancer, preventing it more specifically and fighting it more effectively. Thus, DKFZ is the ideal framework for providing scientifically profound, independent information about cancer. Our goal is to offer a nationwide service providing the best available information for cancer sufferers and their families, medical professionals and interested members of the public. In doing so, we are building on more than 20 years of experience of the Cancer Information Service KID,” said Professor Dr. Otmar D. Wiestler, Scientific Director of the German Cancer Research Center.

“Our organization is confronted with a large number of questions from advice seekers every day. Due to limited capacity, we are unfortunately unable to answer all of them promptly,” says Gerd Nettekoven, Managing Director of the German Cancer Aid. “The alliance agreed upon will provide a highly competent reference center as a contact point which will cover the high demand for quality assured cancer information in future. Besides, the joint initiative is an excellent example of a useful collaboration between the public sector and a private organization: This is the only way to implement ambitious projects and create synergies.”

In spring 2009, the Cancer Information Service was turned into the National Reference Center for Cancer Information in Germany. Funding for the reference center, which is based at DKFZ in Heidelberg, has been provided so far by BMBF, BMG and DKFZ. In future, the German Cancer Aid (Deutsche Krebshilfe) will also make a substantial funding contribution. Furthermore, the existing information and counseling service of the German Cancer Aid will be integrated into the National Reference Center for Cancer Information as of fall 2009.

The Cancer Information Service (KID) was established in 1986 based on the model of the U.S. National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service. By offering neutral and scientifically profound cancer information, it fulfills an important societal task and contributes to rapid dissemination of practice-related results of transnational cancer research. Today the Cancer Information Service dispenses individual advice on the basis of evidence-based medicine to about 30,000 citizens each year. In addition, the service supplies contact details and addresses of institutions and organizations involved in medical and psychosocial care and support of cancer patients. The information and counseling service of the German Cancer Aid also has a long tradition: In the first years following the foundation of the Deutsche Krebshilfe in 1974, founder Dr. Mildred Scheel, who was a doctor herself, personally answered questions of patients and their families. In 1982, an official contact point for advice-seekers and an information and counseling service were established within the organization.

Further information is available on the Internet at:

http://www.bmg.bund.de
http://www.bmbf.bund.de
http://www.krebsinformationsdienst.de
http://www.krebshilfe.de
http://www.dkfz.de